Fearful of going against a long standing history, the Storm
Wolves showed up Sunday morning to a blustery day of windy weather. Lucky for
us, however, we got to use the bus for an extended outing to Racehorse Falls.
Gathering at Cascade Montessori, we took a moment to have an opening circle
before jumping into a bus maintenance check. With the Explorer’s help we popped
the hood, check fluid levels, tire pressure, brake lights, etc., before loading
up into the bus, buckling in, and hitting the road.
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| Salmon carcass we found on the gravel bar |
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| Plenty of canid tracks to investigate |
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| Squishing around in the "quick sand" |
Cruising out Mt Baker Highway we noticed the wind subside as
we pushed east. Turning down Mosquito Lake Road, we decided to make a quick
stop at the bridge to explore the gravel bars and get a gauge on the weather.
Spreading out on the landscape, being mindful to respect the handful of folks
fishing nearby, we soon were overwhelmed with the intoxicating curiosity of
exploration. Finding everything from cool rocks to salmon carcasses to canid
tracks, we were already getting lost in the timelessness of an extended outing.
With plenty of fun to be had, we took a bit more time on the gravel bars then
returned to the bus for lunch before heading out again on our trek to Racehorse
Falls.
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| Exploring the colors of rocks by the river |
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| Deer carcasses we found near the parking lot |
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| Mushrooms growing on a branch |
Bumping our way along the gravel road, we soon arrived at
our destination. Before we could even get out of the bus we were faced with a
morbid mystery; a variety of bones strewn about in the bushes including four
rig cages and a jaw bone! Upon further investigation we began to put the pieces
of the puzzle together, noticing the elongated jaw bone with the worn molars of
an herbivorous ungulate. Feeling better about the bones and their backstory, we
pushed on down the trail and over an obstacle course of slippery logs, to
arrive at Racehorse Creek. Immediately the Storm Wolves immersed themselves in
their surroundings, picking through the rocks in search of fossils, noticing
the substantial lichen in certain trees, and enjoying one another’s company as
a make shift fossil trade center sprouted beside the creek.
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| Searching for fossils |
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| Success! |
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| An ancient palm perhaps? |
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| Racehorse Falls! |
Realizing the Explorers could spend an eternity searching
for fossils and not get bored, the mentors felt the call to rally everyone
together on an expedition to find the waterfall. Gathering up we had a snack
and some re-hydrated before trekking upstream over rock, under log, and through
water to get to our destination. Scampering ahead, the Storm Wolves were in
their element. As the mentors brought up the rear, they were afforded the
opportunity of witnessing the group clamoring up towards Racehorse Falls, over
a hundred feet of cascading waterfall cutting through the forest as a backdrop,
the water carving out the ancient mysteries of the past exposing fossils and
inspiring dreams of what once was. There is nothing quite like getting a bunch
of Explorers out on a wild landscape. They display a level of fortitude and
vigor that can only be inspired by such a wild place. It was a treat to get to
join the Storm Wolves for the day, and like always, we finished with a circle
of gratitude. There was so much to be thankful for on a day like this; salmon,
fossils, mysteries, waterfalls, friends, and so much more. We can only wait
eagerly for our next outing that will undoubtedly be the source of many more
fond memories and things to be thankful for.
Make sure to check out the rest of the photos from this outing
here!
